coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I was wondering if anybody has been playing with or using a GoPro? Guess if there is enough interest a thread could be started.

I know it's mostly used for video capture but I got the new GoPro Hereo11 Black and it also takes some great photos with a 27 megapixel sensor. Also has a feature to frame grab from your video clips.

Taking a back seat flying with the Tiger Squadron formation flying team this weekend, I shot video of the entire flight with the GoPro. Attached are a couple of frame grabs.

Looking forward to experimenting more with all of the features. Like the small form factor but screen is hard to see in sunlight. There is an app to control it from your smart phone and preview the screen but it does not stay. on.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

27MP is a pretty decent image.

bwa

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

I have the first one with stabilization ( 7 I think) I only use it for video, for my Youtube channel and TikTok The 7 was not in the same class as my DSLR

sjb3

I discovered them back in '16; didn't take to them at first because they seemed to be intended mostly for action-oriented users, as the many incredible video clips displayed: surfers shooting the curl, hang-gliders and sky divers in flight, cars racing along with the tiny camera somehow attached and riding 6 inches from the pavement, etc. And that's not to mention skiers and especially snowboarders (who evidently lead charmed lives!).

It wasn't long before I discovered the more sedate (yet just as enjoyable) side to these little jewels and got one of my own, a Hero 5 Black. I used it to make short (10 to 30-second) clips of our little Chihuahua patrolling the yard, as an example. I have to say, though, that what I was most drawn to at the beginning was Time Lapse; I made a fair number of them, including what was for me a sizeable project: The total solar eclipse of August 2017 (I lived in the 68-mile-wide totality zone).

I had the GoPro 5 set up on a tripod at the foot of my driveway, hooked up to an external power source and was able to make a bit more than 1800 individual photos which I used to make a 43-second video of the more-than-2-hour event. The GoPro's super-wide angle lens gave the video a view of my whole house and a full, unrestricted view of the southern sky behind it which allowed the entire eclipse to be captured.

As to having a UHH section devoted to them, there's already a section dedicated to video, and I've posted one or two items there. GoPro cameras are primarily action cameras and they're by no means the only one of that kind. If a section was created for UHH, it should be properly ID'd as such, with action-type footage posted (i.e., all that stuff previously mentioned and the many other stunts action enthusiasts are quite capable of thinking of).

I'll readily admit that my video efforts with GoPro (I stopped with a Hero 8 Black) were and still are fun to make and the equipment itself is easy and convenient to use, but not hardly artistic or memorable, certainly not for posting to a UHH action camera section. That would be for the guy who straps a GoPro (or one of the other many brands available) to his helmet, sets it to recording video and then dives headfirst off a 500-foot-drop bridge with 400 feet of bungee cord tied to his ankles.

As an aside to OP coolhandluke, I'd be happy to let you know via personal message about the various items I've added over these past few years to make my casual video shooting with these neat little cameras go easier and with good finished products.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Who would have thought 10 or 15 years ago you could stuff a 27mp chip into a camera so small?

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Sjb3,
Thanks for your history with the GoPro. Sounds like you had some fun with it.
The only reason I bought it was to video the team doing formation flying.
I tried using my iPhone 14 which actually works pretty good but one of the pilots has a GoPro mounted on his wing and the video is cool.
I have also used my Z9 which produces great video but too hard to hold especially when they do a steeple chase and go inverted. Also I mostly use a 28-300 lens with the Z and I need something wider to get the team in especially if there are 5-7 ships flying in the formation.
My first try with the GoPro was mounting it on the “stick” hand holding it and maneuvering it around. That worked good but I missed having my Z taking stills.
It came with a head band that I am going to try next. I thought about mounting it to a helmet but it would probably be too high and go flying off and into the pacific.
I’ll check out the video thread and would love to hear more, feel free to pm me.

sjb3

Coolhandluke,
Thanks much for your reply; I did indeed have fun with my GoPro, but it's obvious that you're light years ahead of me on the subject of video. There isn't much, if anything, that I could say on the subject that you don't already know. I' m not being snarky or derogatory, not in the least; after reading your reply I realized that for you, the GoPro was a means to a specific end, i.e., when making your in-flight videos. I for one would enjoy seeing videos made with your superlative Nikon equipment. I'll be periodically checking UHH's video section in case you decide to post anything there, whether it's Nikon or GoPro.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

sjb3,
I'm not as versed on video as you may think. I'm just getting my toes wet. Some situations lend themselves to video.
Most of the videos I have are pretty long and don't know if they would post.
Some of my stuff is on YouTube. See if you can find my channel under John Perchulyn. Example of video works best check out the Ford v Ferrari one where all of the cars depart the Peterson parking structure. I wish they would have raved their engines more.
I'll be posting the ones I took with the GoPro soon. They may be a little boring but you can check them out if you are bored.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Here is a video I made with my iPhone strapped to a railing at the Rose Bowl 100th anniversary flyover.

https://youtu.be/XUzPuzRGy4E

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Actually, here is the Ford v Ferrari video.

https://youtu.be/DDnR5OPJCkQ
maybe I should be posting them in the video thread.

sjb3

That was one huge collection of automotive muscle! And since Admin hasn't actually moved your post into the video section, it' s apparently fine where it is. As for the noise level, holy smokes, that must have been unbelievably loud. I can't imagine what even higher engine revs would have sounded like.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

There were over 50 Ford Cobras and Ferraris of all sorts.
b.t.w., that was the Z9 with 28-300mm lens.

sjb3

Great shot! Everything lined up and went perfect. Except for that blankety-blank warbly-voiced, pseudo-soulful female pop singer assaulting the National Anthem...

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Yea. Well.
It was a great event.
Tickets were $850. Got in on a photographers pass.

mikedent Loc: Florida

It seems many of the GoPro models have built-in problems. Many are "known issues" once you read forums. I have Hero 10, great size and convenient. Many times its recording function stops after only 59 seconds so I have to push the top button again to restart. Also when recording speech it cuts out every so often for 2-3 seconds for no apparent reason. Up to date firmware/software, fresh battery. Wish they were problem free!